Buckle



NGV. 25?

A. OPPENHEI M BUCKLE Filed July 8, 1924 .Patented Nov. 25, 1924.

lNi'lli' STATES PjATENT QFFQE.

ALBERT OPE'EhTI-LEIM, OF NER/V YORK, N. Y., ASSEGNO?, TC!` THE CGNNECTICUT VTEB @c BUCKLE COMPANY, OT! BRIDGEPGRT,

unorronr.

Application led Jnfly 8, 1924.

To (17./ liv/tom 'it 72mg/ concern.:

Be. it known that I, ALBERT @remmen a citizen ot the United States, residing at New York, county of New York, vState oit New York, have invented a new and useful Buckle, of which the following is a specitication.

This invention relates to buckles, and has tor an object to provide an improved rustless buckle which will be s'nnple in construction, and which will not require the use of inetal clips or stitching in securing it to the web.

It is also an object ot' the invention to provide a structure which will Vsecurely clainp the web so that there will be no slipping when in use, and in which this ettect may be secured without the use of teeth which will cut or tear the web. y

It is a further object of the invention to provide a buckle which has an improved means for securing the free end of the web, which dees not need any threading of the web through the buckle when applying, and which will provide a larger space than the ordinary buckle for the threading olthe run ot the web through the buckle, thus facilitating assembly on the web.

lVith the 'foregoing and other objects in view, I have devised the constructionl illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, similar reference characters being employ-ed throughout the various figures to indicate eorresponding element-s. In this drawing,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal central section through the buckle and the web showing the buckle open or with the lever in the non-securing position.

Fig. 2 is a sin'iilar view showing the buckle closed or with the lever in the securing position.

Fig. 3 is a front view showing the buckle open and with the run of the web removed 'troni the buckle.

Fig. at is a partial rear elevation and a partial section showing the buckle closed.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through the buckle corresponding to Fig. 1 but with the web removed.

Fig. 6 is an end elevation showing the buckle closed.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the buckle closed looking` toward the back oi the buckle and with the web removed= coniincrronr, n conronaron or con- BUCKLE.

Serial No. 724,772.

Fig. 8 a rear view shrnving the method otapplying the free end of the web, and

F 9 is a section substantially on line 5)?9 of Fig. 8.

The buckle comprises two members` a back or trarne 1() and a clainpingiever 11 pivoted thereto. In the present instance the traine is made of sheet metal, which is the preferred construction, although certain foatures of the invention are adapted for use in wire frames. The trame comprises a body portion 12 bent backwardly upon itself at 13 intermediate its edges to provide a clamping portion 14 for the free end 15 oit' the web 16. The free edge of this .clainp` ing portion is provided with clamping teeth 17 and 18 which are bent inwardly slightly at their free ends, as shown in Fig. 9, to more securely grip the web, and the ends of these teeth are positioned different distances from the bent edge 13 for several purposes, the end portions being preferably farther from this bend than the central portion. The buckle is formed with this clainping portion 14 bent to substantially the position shown in Fig. 9 with the teeth spaced a sufficient distance from the body portion 12 to allow for easy insertion of the end of the web between this body portion and the clamping portion. The ends 19 of the body portion are also bent backwardly at the ends of the clamping portion to provide suitable guides for the edges of the web when the free end of the saine is inserted between the body portion and the clamping portion, and will always position the web in proper relation tothe traine of the buckle. After the free end of the web has been inserted, as shown in Fig. 9, the clamping portion 14 is press-ed downwardly against the back of the web securely gripping the tree end thereof, the teeth increasing the holding eliicct, This clamping may be done in a press.r as shown in Fig. 9, the bed plato of the press being shown at Q0 and the movable tool at 21. Other holding means beside the teeth may be provided if desired but I preter these teeth.

It will be noted that when inserting this 'free end into the clamping position, no threading of this end through the buckle is necessary, as the clamping portion is on the back ot the buckle and is easily accessible. As the two sets of teeth are spaced different distances troni the bend 13, and

therefore, also from the free end of the web, the teeth do not all grip the web in the same line but grip it in two spaced lines, neither of which extends all the way across the web. There is, therefore, no danger of these teeth cutting a line across the web which will give way under strain. After the free end of the web is clamped the web is bent backwardly over the clamping portion, las shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and therefore, covers the metal of this portion making a rustless back.

The opposite edge 22 of the body portion is stepped or offset, as shown in Fig. 3, preferably adjacent its opposite ends, and with the Central portion nearer to the bend 13 than the upper portions 23 of the steps or offsets, and the risers 24 are preferably somewhat inclined, as shown, although not necessarily so. Formed integral with the ends 19 of the body portion is a pivot bar 25, and this bar preferably extends the entire length of the frame as this gives a more rigid construction, and it is spaced from the stepped or offset edge of the frame to provide a space for the run of the web and the passage of the clamping tongue of the lever through the frame. The end walls 19 are bent, as shown at 26, to properly position this pivot bar, and it is preferably offset or bent forwardly from the body portion in the opposite direction from that of the clamping por`- tion 14, as shown, so that the buckle will lie substantially in the plane of the web.

Pivoted to this pivot bar 25 is a clamping lever comprising a front or finger piece 27 and a clamping tongue 28. This tongue is preferably formed by bending the body of the lever forwardly under the finger piece and toward the free edge thereof from the pivot, as shown at 29, and it is their bent backwardly at 30 so that its free edge 81 will pass through the frame and beyond the edge 22owhen the lever is moved to closed position. This is the preferred construction although this specific shape is not necessary, and in the present instance between the backward bend 30 and the free edge 31 is a substantially plane portion 32. The free edge 31 is plain and without teeth, and is of a length substantially equal to or slightly shorter than the central portion 22 of the clamping edge of the frame between the risers 24, and it is also preferably inclined out wardly at its ends 33 approximately the same as the risers 24, but is so proportioned that the tongue may pass through the frame and between' the risers when the lever is moved to closed position. The bend 30 in the tongue, however, is so positioned that when the lever is in closed position it is substantially in alignment with the tops 28 of the stepped or offset portions, as shown in Figs. 2, 5 and 7, and as the free edge 31 is extended rearwardly from this bend, it will be clear that when the lever is in closed position this free edge is spaced to the rear of the frame and its clamping edge 22. There will thus be provided between each end 33 of the tongue and the corresponding riser 24 of the stepped or offset portion of the frame, a tapered passage 34 for the run 35 of the web. If the risers and the ends of the tongue are straight this passage is substantially sl-shaped, but the same effect is secured if the ends are curved somewhat. In effect the ends ofthe tongue and the risers form tapered clamping sockets for the web with the narrowest portion thereof at the top of the risers. It will be apparent that when the run of the web is threaded through the frame and the lever moved to closed position, the free edge 31 of the tongue will force the central portion of the web against the Vcentral portion 22 of the clamping edge of the frame and also through the frame to the rear thereof, as shown in Fig. 2, with the opposite side portions of the web resting on the tops 23 of the stepped or offset portions. The web, therefore, eX- tends through the tapered passages 34 and will be clamped against the stepped edge of the frame by the tongue. It will furthen be apparent that when strain is placed on the web the pull will tend to draw it toward the narrowest part of the tapered passages 34 where it will be tightly wedged between the risers and the ends of the tongue. Thus the greater the strain or the pull on the web the more tightly will it be gripped between the tongue of the lever and the frame..

It is to be noted from thearrangement of the teeth 17 and 18 with the center teeth nearer the bend 13, both sets of teeth being preferably somewhat nearer the bend than is the free edge 22-23 of the frame, that when the back of the web isY folded over these teeth the central portion will be pulled down, as indicated in Fig. 3, leaving the large space 36 formed by the stepped or offset arrangenlent of the clamping edge of the frame through the'center of the buckle free for' insertion of the opposite or free end of the run of t-he web in threading this end into the buckle. Thus this buckle may be much morequickly and easily assembled on the web than the ordinary buckle because only one threading operation is required and that the operation of threading the run of the web through the buckle, and the stepped or offset edges of the frame provide a larger space, greatly facilitating the insertion of the free end of the web in the threading operation. Furthermore, it will be apparent that there is only one thickness of web run-y ning through the buckle, which gives a thinner assembly and also causes the buckle to have a more secure grip on the web because the single thickness of the run of the web is clamped between two free and relatively sharp edges of metal. This gives a greater holding effect than ivhere one side of the run of the Web is clamped against another thickness of iveb.

Having thu-s set forth the nature of i'ny invention., what l claim is:

l. In a buckle, a fran-1e, a .clamping ever pivot/ed tio the traine, the franiebeing provided vith a free edge having a stepped portion, and the lever being provided i-vith a tongue having a free edge passing beyond that of the frame when the buckle is closed and arranged to forni a tapered passage for the nel) between the end of the tongue and the riser ed'fe oi' the step of the frame.

il. In buckle, a 'frame provided with a tree enge having` stepped portions adjacent the opposite ends thereof, a clamping lever piroted to the frame and provided with a tongue having a free edge passing beyond that of the franie when the buckle is closed and arranged so that its ends forrn With the risers of the stepped portions of the frame substantially il-shaped spaces for passage of the web.

In a buckle, a frame provided With a free edge having stepped. portions adjacent the opposite ends thereof and with the lower portion in the center, and clainping lever pivoted to the frame provided with a tongue havinga free edge passing beyond said loiver portion when the buckle is closed, the ends of the tongue forming With the risers of the stepped portions of the frame tapered spaces for passage ofthe iveb.

il. In a buckle, a fraine provided with a free edge having` stepped portions adjacent the opposite ends thereof and with the loiver portieri in the center, and a clamping lever 'pivoted to the frame provided with a tongue having a free edge passing beyond. said ioiver portion when the buckle is closed, the ends of the tongue forming` with the risers of the stepped portions of the traine tapered spaces t'or passage of the web and with the narron'cst' portions of said spaces adjacent the top edges of the stepped portions.

ln a buckle, a frame having a body portion and a pivot means, a clamping lever pivoted thereto, said body having a free edge otlset adjacent the ends of the frame toward the lever, said lever including a tonge having a free edge passing 1eeyond that the traine between the offsets when the buckle closed and the ends thereof` t'oiniine with the oiiisets tapered passages for the web in which it is clamped by said tongue. Y

In a buckle` a fraine having a. body portion, a clamping lever pivoted to said traine. said body portion being provided with a free edge having inclined portions extending` toivard the lever adjacent the ends of the frame, said lever including a front or neer piece and a clamping tongue extending under said front from the pivot toward the free edge thereof and then bent backwardly and terminating in a free edge arranged 'to pass beyond the free edge of the frame when the lever is closed, said bend when in this position being arranged adjacent the top of said offsets.

7. In a buckle, a frame having a body portion, a clamping lever pivoted to said traine, said body portion being provided with a free edge having stepped portions adjacentxthe opposite ends thereof extending toivard said lever, said lever including a front or linger piece and a clamping tongue extending under said front from the pivot toward the tree enge thereof and then bent backivaidly and terminating in a free edge arranged to pass beyond the free edge of the fraine when the lever is closed, said bend being arranged when in this position adjacent` the top of the stepped portions so that the ends of the tongue forni with the risers of the stepped portions tapered clamping spaces for the web.

'8. In a buckle, a sheet metal frame bent backwardly upon itself to form a clamping portion for the free end of the Web, the ends of the frame being also bent back- Wardly to form guides for the edges of the web at the ends of the clamping portion, pivot means' carried by the frame and a clamping lever pivoted to said means.

9. In a buckle, a sheet metal frame having a body portion with one edge thereof bent baokvvardly upon the body to form a clamping portion for the free end of the Web, a pivot bar integral with the body and spaced from its opposite edge, and a clamping lever pivoted to said bar, the ends of the body portion being bent backvvardly to form web guides at the ends of the clamping portion.

10. In a buckle, a sheetl metal frame bent backwardly upon itself to form a clamping portion, the free edge of the clamping por tion being provided with clamping teeth having their free' ends extending inwardly to engage the Web,` said free edge being offset so that the teeth are arranged in a plurality of rows spaced different distances from the bend in the frame.

1l. In combination, a web, a buckle including a sheet inet-al frame one edge of which is bent backwardly to provide a clainp for the free end of the web, the other edge of the frame being offset or stepped, a pivot bar spaced from said stepped edge, a clamping lever pivoted to said bar, said lever being provided with a tongue having a free edge arranged to pass beyond the said stepped edge when the lever is closed and its ends clamping the run of the web against the riser of the stepped portions.

12. In a buckle, a sheet metal frame one edge of Which is bent baekwardly to form a clamp for the free end of the Web, the other edge of the frame being stepped adllt) 'jacent the opposite ends thereof, a clamping lever` pivoted to the frame at a distance from said stepped edge, said lever being provided With a tongue having a stepped edge arranged to pass beyond the free edge of the frame When the lever is closed, the ends of said tongue forming with the risers of the stepped portions tapered clamping sockets for tlre run of the web.

13. In combination, a web, a buckle including a sheet metal frame one edge of which is bent backwardly to 'form a clainp for the free end of the web, the other edge of the frame being stepped adjacent its opposite ends, the ends of the fra-lne being bent baclnvardly to provide guides for the edges ofthe Web at the ends of said clamp, a pvot bar integral with said ends and spaced from the stepped edge, and a. clamping leverik pvoteol on said bar, said lever being provided With a tongue having a free edge arranged to pass beyond the stepped edge of the frame when the lever is closed and with its ends arranged to form with the risers? I' 

